Parental expectations amongst Chinese parents in Hong Kong: Profiles and demographic correlates

Abstract

Parental expectations and aspirations for their children's future is an important domain that exerts profound impacts on children's development. However, research on parental expectations in Hong Kong is grossly inadequate. Using a culturally-sensitive measure of parental expectations, the present study investigated the profiles of Hong Kong Chinese parents' expectations on their children's future and the related demographic correlates. Based on the responses of 5,707 parents recruited through a non-probabilistic quota sampling involving five generational cohorts of Chinese parents in Hong Kong, the present study showed that Hong Kong Chinese parents generally possessed conventional and high expectations on most aspects of their children's future. However, the parents possessed diverse attitudes toward children's involvement in politics, being exceptional, having a good social status, and pursuit of equality. Regarding demographic correlates, it was found that parental expectations were significantly associated with parents' age, parental role, education level, employment status, and family income. Specifically, mothers or parents who were older, receiving a lower level of education, retired or living on social security assistance or earning lower family income had more conventional and higher expectations on children's future. The present pioneer findings portray a holistic picture showing both commonality and variance of Hong Kong Chinese parents' expectations.